Yarrangobilly (“Yagby” to cavers) is an extensive caving area just past Kiandra in the Snowy Mountains, south-west of Canberra. It contains some of the best caving in mainland Australia, as well as the mainland’s deepest and coldest cave. Notable caves include the Eagles Nest System, East Deep Creek Cave, Coppermine Cave, Old Inn Cave, Janus and North Deep Creek Caves, Restoration Cave, and Mill Creek Swallet.
Getting there
Drive via Cooma, Adaminaby and Kiandra, past the Yarrangobilly Show Caves entrance and exit roads. The usual stopping place is Cotterills cottage, just before the Yarrangobilly River crossing — about 3 hours from Canberra. Boboyan Road through Namadgi can shave a little off the trip if the road is in good condition, though it can get very rough. From Sydney or Melbourne, driving in via Tumut is the better option. Vehicles without 4WD must carry snow chains in winter. Last fuel from Canberra is at Adaminaby (with a fantastic bakery); from Sydney/Melbourne, at Talbingo — both have limited hours.
Facilities
Cotterills cottage — the old Yarrangobilly Village Post Office — is available to caving groups with permits. It’s basic but offers shelter, with pit toilets and an adjacent campground. Bring your own mats, sleeping bags and camping gear (the hut fireplace can’t be used, though there are plenty of fireplaces outside). There’s no drinking water at the cottage, but plenty in the Yarrangobilly River next to the campground. It can get very cold and snow at almost any time of year. The Yarrangobilly Visitor’s Centre nearby doubles as the local NPWS office and is the only source of supplies between Talbingo and Adaminaby — open 9am–5pm, 7 days, except Christmas Day, with a thermal pool ($4/day/car parking) and short bushwalks.